reading "winning chess strategy for kids" and following the games

hello all,

i have a pdf of winning chess strategy for kids that i am reading through. i heard it was a good one and aimed at kids, my thinking that it would be easier. it has a number of variations in a game. what are you supposed to do with these exactly. am i supposed to get a board and go through them. i dont think that i would really understand exactly what it is saying to me. one variation is talking about winning a pawn but loosing a bishop (exchange for a horsey) and loosing a horsey (for a porn (cheap smirk on face)). i think the idea is an exchange to simplify the situation and take away any defenders. am i supposed to memorize this or something. i understand the idea of removing defenders and simplifying, playing it is another matter. but in this book there are a number of different variations and i dont understand what that is supposed to express. is it just a possible solution that goes nowhere and its explained to highlight the moves played in the game. 

also, this would appreciate an answer (cheers) should i get out a board and work through these games or just trying to imagine it by looking at the position in the book. i can get the idea of it by looking at the book, but would it be better to work through it on a board?

thanks

simon